Beyond the Aadhaar security breach…

Harish Khare

If this week I were to be asked to identify and show a true deshbhakt, my categorical answer will be: Bharat Bhushan Gupta, who operates a small business out of Rama Mandi in Jalandhar. No, he has not demonstrated any extraordinary courage in the face of enemy in the battlefield; instead, he saw a threat to national security and he tried to do something about it. 

Let us make it very clear. Deshbhakti is a very noble sentiment, purest of all allegiances and loyalties a human being can feel.

Deshbhakti is not the prerogative of one community, even if that community happens to be in a majority; nor is it the monopoly of the person who happens to be in power or in a seat of authority. 

Deshbhakti does not accrue by the simple act of putting on ochre robes; or by beating up the minorities; or by abusing Pakistan on television channels; or by coercing others to shout “Vande Mataram.” And, it is certainly not a party affair. Deshbhakti is the unalloyed concern for the country’s welfare, unity and security.

And, nobody personified deshbhakti better than Bharat Bhushan Gupta. The moment he realised that there was a gaping hole in the whole Aadhaar network and that this vulnerability could be exploited by anti-national elements, he decided to do something about it. He tried, as best as he could, to contact the “authorities.” But, as a general rule, the “authorities” have their own reasons and their own rhythm about when to act and when not to act. Gupta remained unattended and spurned. This is not a case of corruption, it is simple criminal negligence (for which there is no punishment in our official Blue Book). 

Not content to let the matter be lost in governmental indifference and apathy, Gupta contacted The Tribune. My colleague Rachna Khaira did a diligent job of bringing out the possibilities of security breach in the Aadhaar data banks.

Sometimes a news story is much more than a journalistic exercise; it becomes an enterprise in national interest. Rachna Khaira’s story was in national service.

And, what was the government’s response?

Deny. Reaffirm the inviolability of the data. File an FIR. 

Arguably, the government does not want to admit and create any kind of panic. But the government also has a larger responsibility of assuring the concerned citizens that it is alive to the possibilities and consequences of data breach.

Technology comes with its own authoritative claims of infallibility. This belief in the supremacy of this or that particular technology has become the new religion of the modern age. No one wants to pause to ponder this simple fact: after all, a technology is designed and devised by some clever human brain — and, it is possible for another human brain, more devious and more mendacious, to crack the code. There is this whole enchanting world of cyber security that excites and invites the crooked minds across the globe. 

The Aadhaar is not a misconceived project, but its security and impregnability are yet to be fully assured. The onus is on the deshbhakts. 

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After three terms totalling 18 years, Janardhan Dwivedi has said farewell to the Rajya Sabha as its member. Till a few years ago, he was one of the most influential voices in the Congress party. Alas, the party is in no position to have him elected for yet another term. His departure — and his party’s inability to ensure his return — tell a story of the changed nature of Indian politics. Also, that the Sonia era is coming to an end. 

Dwivedijee, as he was generally referred, must be one of the oldest functionaries to have operated out of 24, Akbar Road. When I first met him, he was just a joint secretary and used to work from a small, cramped space at the back of the main building that houses the AICC headquarters. Eventually, he made it to one of the spacious rooms allotted to the general secretaries. His long, steady rise in the Congress hierarchy reflects well on the established traditions of the grand old party. It could spot a talent, nurture dedication and reward loyalty. 

He came to be known for his command over the Hindi language in a party that had an over-abundance of leaders well versed in the English language. But he also provided a link to socialist ideas and constituency. 

He never really convinced the press gallery that he was a great parliamentarian, but a Rajya Sabha seat — thrice —for him was the party’s way to recognise his usefulness. He is credited with Sonia Gandhi’s famous jibe: “Mungeri Lal ke haseen sapne” at Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a line that marked her coming of age.

I have known Dwivedijee for more than two decades. We began on a weary note because I thought — or, rather I was told — that he was part of a Brahmanical clique. I was wrongly informed. Over the years, we settled down to a relationship of mutual respect. I benefited from my interactions with him because he has a phenomenal memory of the institutional history and habits of the Congress party. I do wish he would find time — and, the inclination — to write his memoirs. 

And, a question that needs to be asked: Is there a need for a Janardhan Dwivedi in Indian politics today? He belonged to and flourished in an age when our political narrative still consisted of nuanced conversations; today, we begin by shouting at our rivals. He will make a very poor guest at those meaningless nightly combats in television studios. 

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A most unusual incident took place early this week. The Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, was in Saharsa district, addressing a public meeting. Suddenly, a bunch of young men was seen as wanting to “show black flags” to the Chief Minister. The police personnel swung into action — as per their habit and reflex — and were about to pounce on the demonstrators.

The Chief Minister intervened and told the police to let the boys be. He told the police that the disrupters wanted to create “an incident”, so why provide them an excuse, why draw the media’s attention to it. And, in good humour, he added there was nothing wrong with the black colour. 

“Dissent lends beauty to democracy,” the Chief Minister of Bihar was reported to have observed. What a wise observation! Totally at variance with the absolute security cover that is provided to our new rulers whenever they step out of their comfort zone in Lutyens’ Delhi.

In the last two decades, our democracy has become comfortable with a new cult of security. The supposedly charismatic leaders no longer have the courage to walk alone. 

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We all know that after New Year, President Donald Trump came back to the White House and immediately took to Twitter, sending out offensive messages to foreign governments. His most threatening tweet was to the North Korean regime.

In the midst of all the excitement and recrimination that followed the American President’s angry tweets, a legal question got raised: whether Mr Trump’s account could be suspended because he had used it to make threats. According to a brief comment in the New Yorker, the company thought the American President was not exactly guilty because he had not make a “specific threat.”

Nitpickers, all. 

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Is there an elegant way to catch a cold? We have winter every year and a nasty weather to go with it. Before the onset of the wintry season every year, newspapers, magazines, television shows are full of pieces of advice as to what precautions to take in this weather. Yet year after year, we succumb, despite following the ‘precautions’ and ‘remedies’ at home. 

A visit to the old reliable general physician could not be avoided. Of course, he prescribed the usual doze of antibiotics, but he insisted, most reassuringly: “Do not stop drinking your coffee.” 

Anyone?